The Jets, however, still have to re-sign RFAs Blake Wheeler and Zach Bogosian before their arbitration hearings next week.

Wheeler earned a cap hit of $2.55 million on his previous contract, while Bogosian's was $2.5 million. Their new contracts (either negotiated with management or awarded via arbitration) could push the Jets payroll to $60 million and leave management leery about taking on more salary.

The Capitals, however, still have to re-sign RFA Marcus Johansson. That's expected to leave them with around $4 million in cap space, which GM George McPhee isn’t keen to use on free agents.

Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon, meanwhile, said his plan is to stick with his young players. Flames GM Jay Feaster also appears focused on moving ahead with youth.

Given the lack of quality talent remaining in the free agent market, those GMs with interest in Grabovski aren't about to tip their hands.

RED WINGS MAY BE FORCED INTO TRADE MARKET

The Detroit Red Wings have yet to re-sign RFAs Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson, but GM Ken Holland is confident the duo, who don't have arbitration rights, will be under contract when training camp opens in September.

Re-signing them would give the Wings an excess of forwards, plus Holland also expressed interest in signing unrestricted free agent, and long-time Red Wing, Dan Cleary. To make room for the trio, Holland would have to trade a couple of forwards.

He doubted veterans Mikael Samuelsson and Todd Bertuzzi would fetch much in return, partly because of their salaries and no-trade clauses.

Gritty Jordin Tootoo ($1.9-million cap hit) saw limited action with the Wings this past season and is a likely trade candidate. Other options include Cory Emmerton and Patrick Eaves.

Willis wondered if a rival GM could sweet-talk Holland into parting with Nyquist or Andersson, or perhaps even Justin Abdelkader or Tomas Tatar.

Those players would undoubtedly attract more interest around the league and fetch a far better return, but Holland is banking on them forming the core of the Red Wings future.

Rumor Roundup appears weekdays only on thehockeynews.com. Lyle Richardson has been an NHL commentator since 1998 on his website, spectorshockey.net, and is a contributing writer for Eishockey News and The Guardian (P.E.I.).

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